Theatre Is Evil
by Amanda Palmer & the Grand Theft Orchestra
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. PopMatters
    Oct 5, 2012
    90
    In Theatre Is Evil, Palmer hasn't just topped her best releases to date. She's done it with room to spare.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Oct 4, 2012
    70
    One of the year's best rock records.
  3. Beats Per Minute
    Oct 4, 2012
    78
    The album is all about big and big is what you get.
  5. Paste Magazine
    Sep 18, 2012
    87
    This record isn't simply a record, it's an emotional, intricate experience that keeps on after the instrumental break.
  6. The Quietus
    Sep 18, 2012
    70
    This isn't a record you dismiss on one spin and parts require some work from the listener, but given proper attention Theatre Is Evil unfolds into something multilayered and quite lovely.
  7. Boston Globe
    Sep 17, 2012
    80
    The record is the most unvarnished rock music Palmer's ever created, leaning heavily on '80s goth and the oddball New Wave of folks like Lene Lovich.
  8. AllMusic
    Sep 14, 2012
    80
    Theatre is Evil bristles, crackles, aches, and moans with surprising efficiency considering its 15-song length, pairing fractured synths and staccato guitar riffs with Palmer's throaty, untamed pipes, sounding for all the world like a brazenly cool, alternate-universe version of No Doubt.
  9. Filter
    Sep 11, 2012
    74
    Kitsch aside, Amanda Palmer is one hell of a musician and lyricist, and this album, thankfully, makes good on its million-dollar expectations.
  10. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Sep 10, 2012
    100
    In every sense, Theatre Is Evil sounds like a million dollars.
  11. DIY Magazine
    Sep 10, 2012
    70
    If you like a theatrical sound with a dose of anarchy, quirk and unpredictability, this record comes highly recommended.
  12. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 7, 2012
    80
    Around two thirds of Theatre Is Evil's songs are bolted to the chassis of a loud, poppy guitar band, bringing inescapably to the fore Palmer's gift for killer-catchy melodies and stratospheric contrapuntal arrangements.
  13. Q Magazine
    Sep 6, 2012
    80
    Most of the record is a vivid splurge of new wave, glam-rock and showtunes, armed with lyrics as punchy and memorable as their melodies. [Oct 2012, p.108]
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  14. The Guardian
    Sep 6, 2012
    80
    Theatre Is Evil feels like sitting on the bed of your tattooed, far cooler cousin 30 years ago, while she tells you "all you need to know" about music.
  15. Alternative Press
    Sep 6, 2012
    80
    Palmer captures the human condition like no other artist. {Oct 2012, p.90]
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  16. musicOMH.com
    Sep 6, 2012
    80
    The faithful will lap up every eccentric note, of course, but there's much here for the uninitiated to delight in as well.

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Best Album of 2012

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23
  1. Tenfishone
    Sep 12, 2012
    0
    Amanda Palmer turns in a dreary, childish effort. The lyrics are nonsensical. The anger is a narcissistic demand for attention. The one thingAmanda Palmer turns in a dreary, childish effort. The lyrics are nonsensical. The anger is a narcissistic demand for attention. The one thing Amanda Palmer seems to be consistent about is to never learn about her craft. This record is completely amateur. The production values make the - drama kid freaking out and showing her poo panties- quality, even more obvious. A complete waste of time.… Full Review »
  2. DynamiteStPetes
    Dec 13, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Having been a fan of some of her previous work but never actually listening to anything from Theatre is Evil, I didn't know what to expect... I have been listening to this album for the last 3 weeks straight on my 30 minute drives to and from work... It really is THAT good.
    Theatre is Evil is a rollercoaster of screaming ballads and soft and raw emotional pieces. The album is just full of catchy songs that have me singing along and the music composition is just leagues beyond most other artists in recent memory (And yeah, this came out in 2012. Still better than most new stuff).
    Really, this album is just kickin' the entire way through.
    The lyric that hits me the most is from Trout Heart Replica, "Killing things is not so hard. it's hurting that's the hardest part, and when the Wizard gets to me I'm asking for a smaller heart, and if he tells me no, I'll hold my breath until I hit the floor. Eventually I know I'm doomed to get just what I'm asking for." Just. BEAUTIFUL.    … Full Review »
  3. scores
    Oct 30, 2013
    10
    Amanda delivers her finest album yet. It covers a wide space, but is consistently great at whatever it tries. The progression of songs is aAmanda delivers her finest album yet. It covers a wide space, but is consistently great at whatever it tries. The progression of songs is a nicely tuned rollercoaster and while a good chunk of the lyrics are not immediately clear in and of themselves, in combination with the music, delivery, and some introspection, they have more meaning than per syllable than most other albums out there.
    Amanda may be the first to admit she does not know how to sing, or at least know how to sing like some specific other people, the style grows on you and does not seem at all amateurish, quite the opposite.
    While I think the album compares favorably to earlier Dresden Dolls fare, be aware that the style has changed and expanded.
    If you buy an album today, let it be this one.    … Full Review »
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